Pulsed hydraulic clothes washer

ABSTRACT

A new washing machine apparatus comprises a washing compartment having a means by which large mixing bubbles six inches or more in diameter may be generated to rise from the lower portion to the upper portion of the compartment. As they rise through the compartment, these large mixing bubbles generate substantial convection currents in clothing suspended in washing solution or rinse water in the compartment, thereby providing the agitation needed for wash and rinse stages of the wash cycle with minimal shear force. Embodiments further comprise a press mechanism for the dry cycle, substantially reducing the moisture content of washed clothing without use of centrifugation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an apparatus for washing articles of clothing. More specifically, this invention relates to an apparatus that washes clothes by propagating large mixing bubbles through a slurry of water, clothing and chemical cleaning agent, thereby producing convection currents that agitate the slurry.

2. Description of the Related Art

Automatic clothes washing machines have long been a fixture of modern living in the industrial age. While modern washing machines may be based on a wide range of designs and approaches to washing clothing, the related art shares common characteristics. Automated washing of clothing with water is accomplished by a wash cycle performed on clothing placed in the washing machine. A wash cycle may be preceded by pre-soaking or other treatment of clothing in the washing machine prior to the actual wash cycle. Such treatment typically exposes soiled clothing to water and/or washing solution prior to the wash cycle itself, to loosen soil and begin chemical activation of cleaning compounds.

The typical wash cycle consists, at a minimum, of three stages: washing the clothing in water with cleaning agents; rinsing the clothing with water to remove cleaning agents; and at least partial drying of the clothing.

The wash stage of the wash cycle comprises immersing the clothing in a washing solution comprised of water and cleaning agents, accompanied by agitation of the clothing in the resultant slurry. The agitation of the clothing in the wash stage is key to effective clothes washing for several reasons. Agitation loosens soil particles adhering to clothing, resulting in suspension of soil particles in the washing solution. Agitation further moves the clothing fabric about in the washing solution, thereby exposing substantially all of the fabric surfaces to the washing solution to assure thorough cleaning. Yet further, agitation enhances the chemical kinetics of the cleaning agents, hastening the various chemical processes whereby the agents transform soil and odorous components adhering to and absorbed by clothing into washing by-products solvated or suspended in the washing solution. At the end of the wash stage, the spent washing solution is drained from the clothing.

In the rinse stage of the wash cycle, the clothes are typically repeatedly rinsed with water to remove soil and washing solution remaining in the clothing from the wash stage. Rinsing typically entails immersing the clothes in water, agitating the clothes in the rinse water, and then draining the rinse water from the clothes. This process is repeated as needed to reduce the residuum in the clothing from the wash stage to an acceptably low level.

The drying stage of the wash cycle is performed in various ways. Earlier technology frequently employed mechanical wringer apparatus to remove a substantial amount of liquid remaining from the rinse cycle from the clothes. More modern technology typically spins the wet clothing to remove substantial amounts of liquid from the clothes by centrifugation.

Some modern washing machine apparatuses follow the partial mechanical drying of the clothing in the drying stage of the wash cycle with near total drying by heating the clothing with air circulation in the washing machine itself. More commonly, though, modern clothes washing entails the use of a separate clothes dryer apparatus for completely drying clothing following completion of the wash cycle.

Typical washing machines are either top loading or front loading. In top loading machines, mechanical agitation during the wash and rinse stages is usually accomplished by means of a finned water pumping agitator or impeller driven by transmission from an electric motor. Top loading machines further typically comprise a perforated rotatable cylinder mounted on a vertical axis within which washing and rinsing take place. The drying stage of the wash cycle is accomplished in top loading machines by spinning the perforated cylinder containing the wet clothing at a high rate of speed, thereby centrifugally extracting a substantial amount of liquid from the clothing. Rotation of the cylinder is driven by transmission from an electric motor which is often the same motor that is used for agitation during the wash and rinse stages.

In front loading machines, clothes are placed in a rotatable cylinder mounted on a horizontal axis. Paddles are affixed to the inside of the cylinder. Agitation in the wash and rinse stages of the wash cycle is accomplished in such machines by rotating the cylinder, the lifting action of the paddles followed by the dropping of the clothing within the cylinder due to gravity. In the drying stage, the cylinder is rotated at a high rate of speed, just as for top loading machines, extracting a substantial amount of liquid from the clothing by centrifugation. Rotation of the cylinder in front loading machines in all stages of the wash cycle is driven by transmission from an electric motor.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing description of the related art, modern machine clothes washing technology is reliant on fairly powerful electric motors with complex transmissions comprising gearing, clutches, differentials, cranks and the like. Because agitation and centrifugation of heavy, wet clothing require the washing machine motor to supply considerable torque, the energy consumption of typical modern washing machines are relatively high. Further, because a typical modern washing machine relies on substantial interacting parts in the control and transmission of mechanical energy from the electric motor to agitate and dry clothing, construction is frequently complex and eventual mechanical failure is certain.

Further, because agitation of clothing is accomplished by the movement of rigid mechanical components against clothing (agitators or impellers in the case of top loaders, paddles in the case of front loaders), delicate clothing can be damaged by the shear forces presented thereby.

Further, because considerable unbalanced centripetal forces may be generated during centrifugation, modern washing machines are noisy during the drying stage of the wash cycle and often require complex mechanical arrangements to avoid unwanted movement of the machine in place.

What is needed is a washing machine apparatus that provides agitation of clothing in wash and rinse stages of the wash cycle without the use of mechanical transmissions. What is needed further is a washing machine apparatus that provides agitation without presenting substantial shear forces to the clothing. What is needed further is a washing machine apparatus that consumes substantially less energy than the prior art. Further, what is needed are embodiments that provide the drying stage of the wash cycle without centrifugation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIVE MATTER

A new washing machine apparatus comprises a washing compartment having a means by which large mixing bubbles six inches or more in diameter may be generated to rise from the lower portion to the upper portion of the compartment. As they rise through the compartment, these large mixing bubbles generate substantial convection currents in clothing suspended in washing solution or rinse water in the compartment, thereby providing the agitation needed for wash and rinse stages of the wash cycle with minimal shear force. Embodiments further comprise a press mechanism for the dry cycle, substantially reducing the moisture content of washed clothing without use of centrifugation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing objects, as well as further objects, advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, in addition to methods of operation, function of related elements of structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become apparent upon consideration of the following description and claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cut-away drawing depicting the major components of an embodiment of the washing machine;

FIG. 2 depicts the generation of aeration bubbles by an embodiment of the washing machine;

FIG. 3 depicts the accumulation of air under the piston head in an embodiment of the washing machine;

FIG. 4 depicts the release of accumulated air as a single bubble from the piston head in an embodiment of the washing machine;

FIG. 5 depicts the convection currents generated by large bubbles within the machine, the bubbles serving to provide agitation of clothing and washing liquid during the wash cycle;

FIG. 6 a depicts the floor of the washing chamber in an embodiment of the washing machine;

FIGS. 6 b-6 c depict a mechanism for partial drying of clothes in the drying stage of the wash cycle in an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the clothes washer 102, wherein a washing chamber 104 may be filled from a water source 132 when valve 134 is opened. In the depicted embodiment, washer 102 will fill with water to a predetermined level controlled by electronic water level sensor 136, which signals valve 134 to close when water has reached the predetermined level for clothes washer operation. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, a number of other means may be employed for filling the washing chamber with water to a predetermined level. Such means include a float valve such as commonly used in flush toilets. Alternatively, such means may comprise a timed solenoid valve, which simply opens for a fixed period of time and then closes. Yet further, such means for filling with water may comprise a valve that is manually operated based on information displayed on a fill gauge. Those of skill in the art will realize that the present invention contemplates any and all such means for filling the washing chamber to a predetermined level.

The floor of washing compartment 104 comprises pulser screen 112, diffuser 120 and drain screen 122, which are described in more detail below. Under the floor of washing compartment 104 is source 114 of compressed air, controllably providing compressed air through valve 118 to diffuser 120 for small aeration bubbles described in more detail below in relation to FIG. 2.

Source 114 of compressed air also controllably provides compressed air to air chamber 106. Extensibly mounted through the top of air chamber 106 is piston 110, the top 108 of piston 110 disposed under pulser screen 112. When piston 110 is in the lowered position as depicted in FIG. 1, piston top 108 effectively seals air chamber 106 from liquid in washing chamber 104.

Valves 126 and 128 controllably connect drainage lines 138 and 140 through drain pump 124 to waste outlet line 130.

Turning to FIG. 2, when washing chamber 104 is filled with liquid, valve 118 may be opened to direct compressed air from source 114 into diffuser 120 to form small bubbles 202, which can serve to aerate washing solution with clothing either during pretreatment of clothing prior to the wash cycle or during the wash cycle itself. Alternatively, ozone can be provided under pressure to diffuser 120 to provide further oxygenation of clothing and activation of washing agent.

Turning to FIG. 3, when valve 116 from compressed air source 114 is opened, air chamber 106 accumulates pressurized air, thereby forcing piston 110 upward, with pressurized air accumulating under piston top 108 in the form of bubbles 302.

Turning to FIG. 4, when sufficient compressed air has accumulated under piston top 108, it forms a single large bubble 402. Turning to FIG. 5, when the air erupts from under piston top 108, large mixing bubbles 502 of three to six inches in diameter are released into the liquid in washing chamber 104, causing convection turbulence represented by arrows 504. With the release of buoyancy from accumulated air under piston top 104, piston 110 again sinks to the lowered position as depicted in FIG. 1, again effectively sealing air chamber 106 from liquid in washing chamber 104.

Advantageously, the convection currents 504 created by the large bubbles, as depicted in FIG. 5, generate sufficient movement of liquid and clothing in the washing machine to provide the agitation needed for washing during the wash and the rinse stage of the wash cycle. The present invention obviates the mechanical agitators, impellers or paddles, with accompanying complex mechanical machinery, required by prior art washing machines. Further, because agitation of clothing in the wash cycle of the present invention entails no physical contact with hard surfaces, the present invention is well suited to washing delicate clothing and other fabrics that are often harmed by prior art washing machines.

It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that means for generating large mixing bubbles other than the means depicted in FIGS. 1 through 5 may be employed while still keeping in the spirit of the present invention. For example, large mixing bubbles may be generated by pivoting bucket apparatus, as described in U.S. patent application publication number 20140016430. Alternatively, stationary large bubble forming plates, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,524,419, may be advantageously used for such purpose. The present invention contemplates any such means and their equivalents for the generation of the large mixing bubbles used for agitation needed during the wash and rinse state of the wash cycle.

Turning now to FIGS. 6 a through 6 c, depicted is a mechanism for the partial drying of clothing in the drying stage of the wash cycle in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 a presents an overhead view of the floor 602 of the washing compartment of an embodiment of the washing machine of the present invention. Floor 602 comprises perforations 604 through which waste washing solution and water may be drained from the washing machine. Just as illustrated in side view in FIG. 1 discussed above, located in the middle portion of floor 602 is a recessed area 606 covered by a screen 608 to retain clothing from recessed area 606. Disposed under screen 608, within recessed area 606, is a piston with top 610 for generating large bubbles for agitation as discussed above in reference to FIGS. 1 through 5.

FIG. 6 b is a diagram of a side view of a front-loading embodiment of the invention. The machine 601 comprises a washing compartment 603 into which the user may place clothes through a front-loading door (not displayed). At the bottom of compartment 603 is floor 602 as discussed in reference to FIG. 6 a above. For purposes of illustration of the drying stage of the wash cycle, recessed area 606 and piston with top 610 illustrated in FIG. 6 a is omitted from FIG. 6 b, but persons of skill in the art will recognize that the discussion herein pertains to the invention having such a piston with top. Under perforated floor 602 is collection basin 612 for gathering liquid drained from washing chamber 603. Collection basin 612 is controllably emptied of water and waste liquid through drainage line 620 by drain pump 622 for disposal via waste outlet line 624, as discussed previously in reference to FIG. 1.

At the top of chamber 603 is ceiling press 614, telescopically mounted to the inside top of machine 601 by telescoping member 616. Cog driven extension mechanism 618 operates in channel 626 in the side of the washing machine to provide pressing action as described next in reference to FIG. 6 c.

Turning to FIG. 6 c, cog driven extension mechanism 618 has rotated and, guided through channel 626, has extended ceiling press 614 downward, with telescopic member 616 telescoping to maintain connection between ceiling press 624 and the top of machine 601. In the depicted embodiment, cog driven extension mechanism 618 is driven by electric motor (not shown), such motor providing sufficient torque with appropriate gearing to cause considerable gradually increasing downward force upon ceiling press 624. Ceiling press 624, in turn, presses against wet clothing 626, forcing water and waste washing liquid out of clothing 626 through perforations in floor 602 into collection basin 612 from which it is pumped by drain pump 622 for disposal via waste outlet line 624.

Persons of skill in the art will recognize that other embodiments can use other means of providing downward force on the clothing to force water and waste washing liquid out of clothing. Such means can comprise, instead of cog driven mechanism 618 depicted herein, a telescoping press mechanism driven by hydraulic or pneumatic pressure applying force to the ceiling press. Alternatively, such means may comprise alternative configurations of mechanical arrangements, such as cog and fixed rail, and such configurations may be driven by various motive means, including not only geared rotating electric motors but also direct drive electric motors and linear-operating electro-magnetic apparatus. Means of providing force to the ceiling press can comprise manually operated cranking, whereby mechanical advantage is conferred from such force by application of simple machines. Yet another alternative means of providing downward force on wet clothing may be by inflatable air bladder instead of a ceiling press, the displacement of volume resulting from inflation of the bladder providing sufficient force to drive an acceptable amount of liquid from moist clothing. It should be understood that all such means and their equivalents are contemplated in embodiments of the present invention practicing pressing for the drying stage of the wash cycle.

In operation, the washing compartment of the present invention is loaded with clothing, roughly to the same extent that prior art washing machines are loaded. The user places washing agent in the washing compartment. In preferred operation, the washing agent employed should create little, if any, sudsing of the wash liquid. Positive results have been obtained with High Efficiency (HE) clothes washing detergent.

The machine is directed to fill the washing compartment with water to a specified level, as discussed regards FIG. 1 in relation to water source 132, valve 134 and water sensor 136. After the washing compartment, containing washing agent, has filled to the specified level with water, aeration bubbles may be generated to activate chemicals in the washing agent and to provide pretreatment of soiled clothing, as discussed regards FIG. 2 in relation to valve 118 which is opened to direct compressed air from source 114 into diffuser 120 to provide the aeration bubbles.

After a period of pretreatment, the wash stage of the washing cycle commences with the generation of large mixing bubbles near the bottom of the wash chamber, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5. These bubbles are 3 to 6 inches in diameter, providing convection currents as shown in FIG. 5 to agitate the clothing during the wash stage.

After sufficient agitation has been provided for washing, spent washing liquid, comprising dirty water and washing agent, is pumped from the washing chamber, referring to FIG. 1, by drainage lines 138 and 140 through drain pump 124 to waste outlet line 130. After draining the spent washing liquid, the wash stage of the wash cycle is complete.

The rinse stage of the wash cycle entails again filling the wash chamber with water to a specified level, as discussed regards FIG. 1 in relation to water source 132, valve 134 and water sensor 136. Clothing is then agitated by large mixing bubbles as shown in FIG. 5 to expose clothing to the rinse water and dilute washing liquid retained in the clothing. After sufficient agitation, the chamber is again emptied by drain pump 124 as describe above. This rinse stage of the wash cycle may be repeated several times until the concentration of any retained washing liquid and dirt in the clothing has reached an acceptably low level.

After the rinse stage is complete, the clothes are partially dried in the drying stage. In embodiments of the present invention, drying comprises pressing the clothing by means as described above, forcing retained liquid extracted from clothing through perforations in the floor of the cleaning compartment into a collection basin, from which it is pumped to a waste outlet line.

Although the detailed descriptions above contain many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Various other embodiments and ramifications are possible within its scope, a number of which are discussed in general terms above.

While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it should be recognized that elements thereof may be altered by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications and equivalents as can be reasonably included within the scope of the invention. The invention is limited only by the following claims and their equivalents. 

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for washing clothing, comprising: a washing compartment for retaining clothing during the wash cycle; and a means for generating large bubbles of three to six inches in diameter in the bottom of the washing compartment.
 2. An apparatus for washing clothing according to claim 1, further comprising: a water source; a means for filling the washing compartment to a specified level with water from the water source; and drainage lines for controllably draining liquid from the washing compartment.
 3. An apparatus for washing clothing according to claim 1, further comprising: a means for applying pressure to moist clothing in the washing compartment so as to press liquid from the clothing.
 4. An apparatus for washing clothing, comprising: a washing compartment for retaining clothing during the wash cycle, the washing compartment having a floor with perforations for drainage; a collection basin located under the floor of the washing compartment; drainage lines connected to the collection basin, the drainage lines operational to selectively drain liquid from the collection basin; a water source connected to the washing compartment, the water source operational to selectively fill the washing compartment with water to a specified level; and a bubble generator for producing large bubbles of 3 to 6 inches in diameter, the bubble generator located substantially in the bottom of the washing compartment.
 5. An apparatus for washing clothing according to claim 4, further comprising: aerators for producing small bubbles less than one-half inch in diameter, the aerators located substantially in the bottom of the washing compartment.
 6. An apparatus for washing clothing according to claim 4, further comprising: a ceiling press movably disposed within the washing chamber to travel from near the top of the washing chamber toward the floor of the washing chamber; and a source of force to press the ceiling press downward toward the floor of the washing chamber.
 7. A method of washing clothing, comprising the steps of: placing clothing within a washing chamber; then filling the washing chamber to a specified level with washing liquid; then generating large bubbles of three to six inches in diameter in the bottom of the washing chamber to agitate the clothing in the washing liquid; then draining the washing liquid from the washing chamber; then rinsing the clothing with water in the washing chamber; then pressing clothing in the washing chamber to remove a substantial portion of liquid from the clothing. 